What Could Possibly Go Wrong
As it turned out, catching them wasn't quite so simple after all. They'd been to two shows, neither of which had been a setting for a heist.
"Maybe it was just a one off?" John suggested. "Maybe we should be focusing on the Buckley's jewellery. It's probably not too late to get them back and have them fingerprint tested."
"We know it wasn't a one off John, they had other items for sale on their eBay from previous heists, remember? And the criminals we are chasing are smart, too smart to have made a mistake like handling the jewellery with bare hands. Besides, the idea of me visiting the Buckley's again concerns Molly far more than our day trips to Bath. I still haven't figured out how to tell her about the dinner invitation they extended to us for next month."
John snorted. "I'm sure she'd rather know sooner than later."
"Of course. As soon as she has our lovely baby sleeping her arms, to satisfy her pregnancy hormones and remind her that she's the one I love. It's all about timing with women." Sherlock winked. "Maybe I'll even forge a card from them, to congratulate us on the baby and extend the invitation. She can't say no to that."
"Unless a real card from the Buckley's shows up after it. You'd be in trouble then." John pointed out.
"Hmm… true. Either way, it is a matter for another day. We're here." Sherlock said, pulling the car up outside the famous roman baths and pump room and sliding smoothly out, tossing the keys casually at one of the valet's hired for the event. The event was a charity ball for the rich and famous, a whole red carpet affair at which Sherlock didn't look even slightly out of place. John on the other hand, felt rather incongruous. As advised by Sherlock, he had worn his best suit, but it still looked cheap next to Sherlock's designer garb. He stuck close to his friend on the way in, resisting a sigh at the insinuating looks he received being admitted as Sherlock's plus-one. He didn't know how Sherlock had got himself on the guest list in the first place, but didn't ask.
They found themselves a quiet corner table in the reception room, with a good view of the stage. John straight away made the most of the free food, helping himself to the bowl of canapés at the centre of the table.
"Mm, these are nice, you should try one."
"You know I don't eat when I'm working." Sherlock muttered, not taking his eyes off the stage, and their target setting up on it.
"Well it's not like you've got anything better to do until they make a move." John shrugged, popping another prawn in his mouth.
Sherlock looked at the prawns with contempt, but ate one anyway, turning back to the stage. A few people came up and tried to engage him in conversation, but quickly left again or ended up chatting to John instead, since Sherlock's disinterest in conversation was clear. Finally though, something did catch his attention. The female musician, alone on the stage in front of the piano, playing a string of notes.
Your presence at our shows has been noted, Mr Holmes. Meet us by the Baths. Five minutes.
John looked up at the sound of the piano also, but didn't know what it meant. What he did know, was that look on Sherlock's face; like a dog catching a scent.
"What did she say?" he enquired with fake casualness.
At first he wasn't sure Sherlock had heard him, as he still looked miles away, but then Sherlock shook his head and looked at him.
"She uh… it was instructions. Guest's coats have been taken into the Kingston Drawing Room. They intend to pick the pockets." He lied smoothly.
"Right. So we wait until the time is right and catch them in the act, yeah?" John asked, swallowing the lie without question.
"Obviously. Excuse me a moment." Sherlock got up, smoothing down the front of his jacket as he did so. John's eyebrows slid together, and his hand twitched, as if about to grab Sherlock's sleeve to detain him.
"Where are you off too?" he asked suspiciously "Molly said to stick together."
"Yes, but I'm sure I can handle going to the toilet by myself. I've been bursting since we got here, but couldn't afford to miss the code, you would never have understood it. We've still got at least 10 minutes before anything else happens, I will be back by then." Sherlock lied again.
"Alright… but if you're not back in 5 minutes, I will come looking." John warned him. Sherlock answered with an eye roll, as he turned and walked away in the direction of the toilets.
As soon as he was out of John's sight, Sherlock changed direction, making his way out to the baths. Light spilled out from the terrace above, along with voices from the party, but down here it was still and quiet. In the shadow of a pillar he saw a figure lounging. Sherlock approached with his confident stride, unaware until too late of two more figures lurking in the shadows. He felt as they stepped out behind him, but didn't have time to dodge or shout before the blow to the back of his head, knocking him out cold.
AN: Mwhahaha, you were right, those words were asking for trouble. Thanks for the MASSIVE response to my question about what you wanted the baby to be. There far to many comments for my to answer you all individually, but thank you to you all. It seems there was a definite preference for what the baby should be, so I'm going with that, but unless you already know from sneaking a look at the reviews yourself, I'm not going to tell you what until later, so you can enjoy the big reveal at the same time as our lovely parents :P